Starting Five: Sports fans' to-do list for this week

June 17, 2012

WATCH

Oklahoma City at Miami

8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, ABC

Huge comebacks. Controversial calls. Players showing why they're superstars. What else could you want from the NBA Finals (one that doesn't include the Bulls, that is)? By the time Thursday's Game 5 is finished, one team could be celebrating a championship. Or we could be in store for one intense weekend of hoops.

READ

"The Longest Fight"

Available Tuesday

It's common for hockey games or even tennis matches to last two hours and 48 minutes. Boxing matches? Not so much. But the 42-round bout between Joe Gans and Oscar "Battling" Nelson in September 1906 was one for the ages. Gans, the first African-American boxing champion, also fought the bigotry that underscored the time period. For that reason, he belongs in the same breath as legends such as Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali.

ATTEND

White Sox vs. Milwaukee

Friday-Sunday,U.S. Cellular Field

It's not Bears-Packers, but the Sox can squash another set of cheeseheads when the Brewers come to town. They'll be trying to hold on first place as well, and coming off a series against the Cubs, the Cell should be rockin'. If you need more incentive, some seats will be available for $14, in honor of Paul Konerko's push to make the All-Star team.

ATTEND

Fire vs. Columbus

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Toyota Park

Sure, the Fire have stumbled a bit lately, but there's no better way to wake up the fan base than with a grudge match against rival Columbus. You can bet Section 8 and the rest of the Fire faithful will be riled up for this one. Same goes for the team, of course, as it seeks retribution for a 2-1 loss to the Crew in May.

WATCH

College World Series

Sunday-June 26, ESPN networks

Sick of watching the Cubs or Sox fail to score runs in key situations? Maybe the football-like scores in the College World Series are more your style. Assuming, of course, you don't mind the crack of the bat being replaced with a distinctive "ping." The stakes are not muted by any stretch, however.